PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yan Cropop (ranked 6225 p4p, 506 weight class) and Camino Del Rio (ranked 7544 p4p, 555 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cropop
vs
Del Rio

168 cm
26
180 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Yan Cropop!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Camino Del Rio!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Jeff Smith and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cropop looking to score a takedown here. Del Rio is defending well but Cropop drives through and ends up in Del Rio's guard.
Del Rio looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Cropop trying to control the position from guard on top but Del Rio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cropop throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Del Rio is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Del Rio controlling the position.
Cropop might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Del Rio is looking to stand up but Cropop isn't so interested in that idea.
Cropop forces his way into half guard.
Del Rio is trying to stand back up but Cropop is controlling him
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cropop controlling the action here.
Cropop wants to pass to mount but Del Rio is defending the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cropop is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Del Rio trying to hold on to Cropop's head to control him but Cropop postures up.
Cropop wants to free his trapped foot but Del Rio is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Del Rio is trying to stand back up but Cropop is controlling him
Del Rio is trying to maintain the position but Cropop is very close to passing his half guard.
Cropop is looking to take a break and control but Del Rio is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Del Rio avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cropop.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Cropop is keen to just control but Del Rio is a slippery customer.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Del Rio is looking to land body kicks.
Cropop blocks a head kick by Del Rio.

Del Rio clinches up against the cage.

Del Rio pulls Cropop into guard.
Cropop stands up over Del Rio, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Cropop looking to sit in guard and control but Del Rio gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Del Rio throwing strikes but missing.
Cropop pulls Del Rio in close to his closed guard and prevents Del Rio from doing any damage or advancing position.
Cropop keeping moving, preventing Del Rio from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cropop has his foot on Del Rio's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Del Rio works his way back into a safe position though.

Cropop had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Del Rio defends it easily.
Cropop working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Del Rio.

Cropop throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Cropop keeping moving, preventing Del Rio from controlling successfully.

Del Rio drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Del Rio jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Cropop has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Del Rio can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cropop looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Cropop is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Del Rio rolls with it to try and escape but Cropop cranks on the arm and Del Rio is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:39 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Yan Cropop!
Yan Cropop decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.